We ask about the Saints’ rough patch, how their defense has struggled, and more.
This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns take on the New Orleans Saints. To help preview a few topics from the Saints’ perspective, we reached out to Nic Jennings from Canal Street Chronicles and exchanged five questions with him.
Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images
Chris: “The Saints’ offense exploded in the first two weeks, but then lost seven straight games and saw their head coach get fired, before winning this past week. Did the team’s losing stretch come off as a big surprise to fans?”
Nic: “Prior to the start of the season, if you had told the Who Dat Nation that they’d drop 40+ points in back-to-back blowout wins to open the 2024 campaign, most would have probably said that sounded more outlandish than a seven-game losing streak under Dennis Allen.
Allen entered his third season as the Saints’ HC with a 24-46 career coaching record (26-53 following his termination), so it was unrealistic to think he would magically turn things around now. His tenure in the black and gold will be remembered for turning the infamously bad Saints defense into one of the league’s best, but it was cut short due to an 18-25 record as the franchise’s head coach post-Sean Payton.
However, after witnessing straight domination in consecutive weeks, it was definitely shocking to see such a collapse, even with the overload of injuries New Orleans has faced this season.
The players and the fan base have rallied behind interim HC Darren Rizzi this past week after his debut victory over the rival Atlanta Falcons, as it’s clear that a fresh voice of leadership provided the locker room a desperately-needed boost of energy. New Orleans went out there and fought for a coach they have a deep amount of respect for, proving that they are a better team than the product they’ve been putting on display, despite the number of players they’ve been missing.”
Chris: “New Orleans’ defense has seemed a bit vulnerable — what area has struggled the most on that side of the ball?”
Nic: “The Saints’ run defense has been absolutely abysmal for quite some time now. They currently allow an average of 5.2 yards per carry, just behind the New York Giants’ league-worst 5.3 YPC, and are in a three-way tie for 20+ yard runs given up (12). Additionally, they’ve given up the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL through Week 10 (1,410 yards) and are tied for third in rushing touchdowns conceded (14).”
Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images
Chris: “Which member(s) of the Saints’ 2024 draft class are having the biggest impact?”
Nic: “Rookie OT Taliese Fuaga has been outstanding for New Orleans given the circumstances, and it looks like they’ve hit the jackpot with the 14th overall pick in the draft.
With franchise RT Ryan Ramczyk’s potential retirement on the horizon due to a serious knee injury, the Saints decided it’d be best to give struggling former first-round pick Trevor Penning a fresh start by moving him from left to right tackle, opening a spot on the quarterback’s blindside. After starting 25 games at RT for the Oregon State Beavers in college, Fuaga was assigned first-team reps at LT in training camp, learning a completely new position before ever taking an NFL snap.
Fortunately for the Saints, this risk has paid off: Penning finally seems to be finding his footing, and Fuaga looks like he’s been playing left tackle all his life, as the two have allowed just seven sacks on 1,283 snaps this season.”
Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images
Chris: “Tell us about one player who Browns fans may not have heard of, but who could have an impact on this Sunday’s game.”
Nic: “If elevated from the practice squad again, as expected with the receiver room facing a significant wave of injuries, keep an eye on WR Kevin Austin Jr.
Even though Sunday’s game against Atlanta was his first elevation of the season, he impressed throughout the offseason, always seeming to be in position to make a play. In Week 10, Austin flashed his potential with 2 receptions on 2 targets, totaling 36 yards and two crucial first downs when the Saints needed him most.”
Chris: “The Browns are early underdogs against the Saints on Sunday (Browns +1.5 as of this question, per FanDuel Sportsbook). Who would you pick against the spread?”
Nic: “Based on the remaining adrenaline from Sunday’s long-awaited victory, I predict the Saints will beat the Browns 17-13 in Jameis Winston’s Week 11 return to New Orleans.
Ideally, the Saints can build off last week’s momentum and try their best to turn a disastrous season around, though it won’t be an easy task against Cleveland’s 9th-ranked total defense.”
Thanks again to Nic for taking the time to answer my questions.